I got the blue one, in a 56 cm, and I love it. It is the most amazing bike I've ever ridden. I got mine from bikesdirect, and it was awesome; I bought, and a week later it was on my door step. It comes mostly assembled, and a few minutes will get you out and riding. I ride in some pretty tough streets with it, and couldnt be happier with its performance.

Two words: GET IT

I got a 61cm a few months ago and love it. Works great. Fantastic bike for the money.

I read a lot of stuff on bike forums. Some people were really adamant about bikes direct and motobecane bikes in a negative manner. But, to me most seemed as though they had a grudge or had limited experience with mechanical things. I paid attention mainly to reponses that made sense and were reasonable.

I just bought a 2010 Fantom CX in orange from Bikes direct. The whole experience was exceptional. Good customer service. Fast Shipping.

The bike is very good quality for the price. I beleive it was 559.00 but, once I ordered online they did not have the size I wanted 54cm so I ordered a 56cm and glad I did. Not only did bikes direct give me 50.00 off, the bike fits me perfectly. I'm 5'10.

I needed to do some assembling but, everything was there the only things that needed adjustment were the brakes and front derailler.

The bike is very fast and light and handles very well. I use it to commute and also on trails and paths. Shifting is precise.

The cost is almost unbelieveable.

Sora Shifters (STI) and front derailler. Rear Derailler Tiagra, Crank set FSA vero. Frame is stiff which I prefer. Tekro onynx brakes are ok.

For 509.00 this really can't be beat and is a great way to get a good setup and save some cash. I could not see me spending 1400.00 on a bike at a LBS. But, thats me.

After much research, I finally got out to a retail location for BD. The bike has so far withstood:
1)A brutal end-over-end encounter with a curb that nearly killed me. 2)Theft and recovery during a tropical storm. 3)Being ejected from my truck bed after somebody undid my combo, changed code, and left the bike unlocked and unsecured, appearing locked until it flew out and was recovered, scratched, but 100% functional.
4) Offroad, and technical singletrack trail runs with my buds on full suspension mtb's. 5) Too many stumps, roots, and gnarly bad things to count. 6) My own gross incompetence and gonzo style, lack of technique, finesse or skill.
If it kills me, I deserve it, but wow-what a machine. Nothing that strong deserves to be as light, fast and scrappy. Accelerates very, very well- very stiff, precise. Incredibly tough rims, the bike overall is quick, light-and about to be lightened with a carbon fiber fork, crank.
Can't wait to turn it loose on dirt roads in New England; plenty fast on pavement, but too much fun on the dirt.
Brakes maybe need different pads, but that's just me trying to nitpick. Tires have held up to too many powerslides and a good share of glass, other debris.
The frame is very, very well crafted and attractive-mine is gunmetal, and I'm impressed with that particular model's paint; very tough.
At age 44, 6'1", I'm riding like I was 12 again, and faster than ever before. My 58cm frame might be a little short in the top tube for my torso, but I'm within the range of adjustments offeed by the hardware, so that's moot.
All in all, I was so skeptical , I missed a couple months of riding while I researched. 'Too good to be true' would sum up my experience , and my shop has been superb.
On extreme terrain, yes, I do suffer for not having suspension, but a more skilled rider would simply blow through what slows me down; roots, stumps...
Tires might offer more road speed when I change the originals out, but I enjoy flying down the street and onto the dirt. It's a screaming hoot to ride hard, and comfy enough for cruises, but most enjoyable being tossed around at speed. It deserves a better rider, but I'm still getting faster on it. Gear range: wide enough for climbing all but the steepest-or maybe I just need to ride more. Top gear: could use a little more; it's light enough to be even faster if I had a different crank, rear cassette.
Perhaps the ultimate, for me, would be a dedicated set of road wheels, and a slightly softer set of dirt tires for ugly trail stuff, but this bike has such a split personality, it's fun to see just what you can get away with.
I was surprised I went with the CX's cro-mo fork, but doubt that anything else could have survived my 90 degree curb strike without damage.
What a fun bike to fly...

Nice. I'm looking at the same ride from BikesDirect. I know, I know... BikesDirect, Motobecane, bad service, bad quality... I've read it all before, but I think this is the bike for me! I just can't figure out what size to order. I'm 5'11", 32" inseam. Back in the day, I rode a 56cm GT road bike that was probably too big for me. But do the numbers match up??? Do I need a 54cm? Or, because it's a cyclocross bike, do I go bigger? I just don't know. What do you guys think?

I just got a Fantom Cross which is the same bike with a carbon fork and tiagra/105 running gear. It is excellent. I paid $799 from bikes direct. Free shipping and it was here in 2 days. This bike is virtually identical to the $1500 Cannondale I was thinking of buying. The only difference is the Cannondale has a full 105 group and nicely polished smooth welds. That's not enough to pay twice the money. I was thing of getting another set of wheels with road tires but I like the "enduro" street/trail aspect of the bike so I think I'll just stick with the cross tires. I did not try the seat. I just put my Selle San Marco Regal (highly recommended) from my old bike on it. Great bike. Great price. Great service from bikes direct.

Please tell me--What's the widest tire these bikes can handle? They make a 700x47--will it fit? How about with fenders? Thanks!

@ Clark - BD told me they know of customers running up to 38.

I have a 2009 model and it is a solid bike. I did have a rear skewer brake, and am having some issues with the brakes (low-end components). About 1200 miles on it since October.

However, I've found the geometry simply doesn't fit me well from a comfort standpoint even after modifications and I'm finding myself more comfortable and riding faster on the $20 Giant mountain bike I picked up on CL. I'm sure the gearing difference is the reason for the speed. Getting ready to put city tires on it as 95% of my riding is on pavement.

I've learned a lot since I bought this bike in October (my first bike shop quality bike). Biggest lesson is that I won't likely buy another new bike again - too many great opportunities on Craigs List for quality equipment at low prices, many of them barely ever ridden.

OK, I've had this bike (from BD) for some 150 miles.

I changed the brakes to dual color Kool Stops for Cantilevers.

I had to have the wheels trued professionally since the spokes were not as tight as they should be, not by a long shot. Even after the truing, I'll have to go back again since, obviously, the trueing mechanic hadn't stressed the spokes.

I changed the tires to Continental Top Contact since I plan to ride mostly on the road with occasional gravel, hard dirt and some wicked NYC and Nassau County potholed roads. This tires are, perhaps, the best made in the world for this purpose.

The derailler cable stretched, as expected, and had to be retightened 1/2 turn at first and then another 1/2 turn later.

The bike works as expected. Not my Madone but, for a light truck, it tracks well and can handle the unexpected.

You can't go wrong. This is the 3rd bike I've ordered from BD and they have always proven themselves, from speed of shipping, to getting what I ordered, to service (replacing a bad new/damaged fork with a carbon fork, no charge!)